About Us
The Victoria Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society is part of a national society dedicated to bringing information about astronomy to the general public.
Membership
Open to everyone with an interest in astronomy. Membership in the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada does not require any knowledge of astronomy. We enjoy helping beginners!
Joining the Victoria Centre of the Canada-wide RASC is easy – Join Now
Primary Contacts
President – Dr. Chris Gainor – email
Membership Coordinator – Chris Purse – email
Victoria Centre Directors
President – Dr. Chris Gainor
Overall responsibility for Victoria Centre, its members and Council & public relations
First Vice President – Dan Posey – email
Monthly meeting & speakers, major events
Second Vice President – Kirsten Pedersen – email
Membership Coordinator – Chris Purse – email
Special projects, observing events, volunteers
Treasurer – Doug Hardy – email
Financial recording and reporting
Secretary – Oliver Robinow – email
Minutes, official records, correspondence
Past President – Randy Enkin- email
Business continuity, special projects, nominating committee
Directors at Large – Miles Morrison, David Lee, Jeff Pivnick, Lauri Roche, Alex Schmid
Assist in the operation of the Centre
Victoria Centre Officers
Computer Applications – vacant
Server, Email, Online Services Coordination
Librarian – Alex Schmid
Lending library – periodicals, books, CDs, DVDs & other media in our library
Membership Coordinator – Chris Purse – email
Enquiries from the public & new members, membership roster, email lists
National Representatives – Nathan Hellner-Mestelman & Bill Weir
National RASC representation and liaison
Observing Chair – Bill Weir
Vested with authority by the National Observing Committee to review and approve observing certificate applications
Progressive Lighting Policies – Dave Robinson
Liaison and education about effective use of lighting
Schools Programs – Lauri Roche – email
School visit and education program
SkyNews Editor – Randy Enkin – email
Editor of SkyNews, our monthly newsletter
Telescope Loans – Sid Sidhu – email
Lending Centre-owned telescopes to members
Victoria Centre Observatory – Reg Dunkley – email
Victoria Centre Observatory operations
Webmaster – Joe Carr – email
Website content
Advisors and Liaisons
- James Di Francesco (Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, National Research Council)
- Jim Hesser
- John McDonald
- Jim Nemec (Camosun College)
- Lauri Roche (Friends of the DAO)
- Alex Schmid (University of Victoria)
- Bill Weir (Pearson College)
RASC Roots
In 1868 a small group of amateur astronomers formed the Toronto Astronomy Club. In 1903, King Edward VII gave his permission for “Royal” to be included in the title and the Society became the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. There are now around 5,000 members in 30 Centres, found in most major Canadian cities.
The Victoria Centre was formed in 1914 and quickly developed into one of the largest centres in the country. There are currently over 250 members. Most are amateurs with some being professionals from the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, the University of Victoria, and Camosun College. Professional astronomers frequently appear as guest speakers at RASC monthly meetings.
Victoria Centre members have a long history of offering public observing sessions to residents of Victoria.